Rich & Rare Reserve (40% alc./vol. (80 proof))

Although originally produced by the firm of Gooderham and Worts, Rich & Rare Canadian whisky became an established Hiram Walker brand, distilled in Walkerville, Ontario. During Prohibition the Walker plant was purchased by one Harry Hatch. With a partner, Hatch already owned Gooderham and Worts and the two companies were soon merged. Then in 1987, the business, by then called Hiram Walker & Sons, passed into the hands of Allied Lyons, a British firm. But that was not the end of its corporate identity changes. A few years later, in 2005, the French conglomerate, Pernod Ricard took over the company and it was not long before they divested some of the Hiram Walker brands, including the aptly-named Rich & Rare.

The Sazerac Company of New Orleans, now the owner of the brand, bottles Rich & Rare at its facility in Frankfort, Kentucky. The whisky itself continues to be distilled, matured, and blended in Canada. Recently, Sazerac launched a richer and rarer version in the U.S. calling it Rich & Rare Reserve. Again this is a whisky that has been distilled, aged, and blended in Canada then shipped to Frankfort for bottling.

Where R&R is sweet and creamy, R&R Reserve shows a lot more influence of spicy rye grain and oak barrels. Its sculptured bottle and gold crown cap are reminiscent of Crown Royal, Canada’s best selling whisky, but beyond the packaging there is little resemblance to Crown Royal. R&R Reserve is a fine whisky in its own right and definitely takes the already buttery mouth-filling qualities of R&R up a notch.

Palate: Sweet, rich and creamy with a syrupy body. Quite peppery with hot tingling rye spices, including ginger and cinnamon sticks. Develops lots of oaky tones with some gentle tannins in the middle. Not as fruity as the nose, but elements of dark fruit remain as do oranges which complement a growing citric pithiness. Suggestions of lemony yellow roses linger throughout, although way in the background, along with a somewhat earthy maple syrup. It almost feels as if there are three distinct layers – sweet fragrant butterscotch, clean oak, and robust white pepper. Measured against the standard of Rich & Rare this is bigger, fruitier, hotter, oakier, more complex and definitely not as sweet.

I’m drinking it right now(first taste test).. Been drinking R&R for 5 years… This distinct full bodied blend is an exceptional and quite surprising upgrade from the standard R&R- which is wonderful in it’s own right. Reserve R&R rivals other very expensive labels and I will be purchasing it from now on.. The spicy, tingly, long-lasting flavor with lasting depth definitely let’s you enjoy great whiskey that is affordable at the same time. Well Done!!!

As far as I know, R&R Reserve is made from whiskies that have aged for different periods of time. That’s why you can taste some bright youthful notes and some more mature complex ones in the same whisky.

This Canadian whiskey is pleasantly blended. I just bought it for the first time and upon gazing at the beautiful bottling I opened the golden cap to be smacked in the face with a very pleasant caramel syrupy smell with hints of flowers and rye. I tasted a hint of spice and wood flavors while drinking it a smooth caramel sweet and thick syrupy flavor was left over and very enjoyable. I definitively prefer this over the regular Rich and Rare bottle. I also think this is a top contender for crown royal and other expensive whiskeys.

R&R Reserve is delightful. Just recently tried it & I’ve stocked my shed with it. Living in the south, I was baptized in bourbon, but there is no way to ingnore the smooth Canadian whiskys. R&R Reserve doesn’t give the ferocious headached that 40 Creek gives me & my friends, so this is one of our favorites. In order: Crown, Classic 12 & R&R Reserve. Well done to the makers of this fine whisky & thank god for Canada.

[...] connoisseurs consider the whisky well worth the price and even a bargain as seen here, here, and here. Anecdotal survey tastings by Crown Royal drinkers generally result in R&R Reserve being [...]

Hi Claire,
Canadian whisky does not appreciate much in value so even if it is old, you are likely better off to open your bottle and enjoy it than to try to sell it. The year of distillation should be on the tax strip. If it is not there then there is really no way to say exactly how old it is. Sorry.
Davin

I was looking for a decent inexpensive whiskey and I found a bottle of R & R Reserve for $10.99. I decided to try it out fearing it would taste like crap because of the price. Instead, the whiskey is very good having a sweet aftertaste and I usually dont like to shoot whiskey but this is wonderful! Later Crown hello R & R!

This is the best tasting Whiskey for the money on the planet, as close to Crown as you can get. I was wondering how long does it take to get the rebates, I have sent in 3 envelopes so far and ready to send another, havent gotten one back yet its been well over a month?

I have no idea why they use plastic but I could guess: Plastic is much lighter than glass so people who spend their days moving bottles on and off of store shelves have less chance of injuring their backs or of dropping a case and breaking it. It also probably saves packaging and shipping costs and keeps prices lower. Plastic is also environmentally friendly and believe it or not some of these big companies really do think about that kind of thing. These are guesses, take your pick.

I am looking for used whiskey barrels to re-purpose. I have interest in potting plants to patio furniture. I am in N.E. Washington State. It is not cost effective to haul out of Kentucky or Carolinas. I am hoping I could find Canadian bbls in BC or Alberta. Any help?

Work in liquor store in Louisville,KY & have been asking Crown drinkers to try the R&R Reserve.They are all coming back saying they prefer the R&R Reserve,even without the huge price difference.I prefer Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey,but I did buy a bottle of this stuff& I have to admit that it is pretty damn good.

we went from brand to brand for a log time but when we found R@R we have stayed. we really enjoy the flavor. have been drinking it for the past three years. we put out shots of R@R and Crown Royal for friends and family we found we like the R@R better Thanks R@R we will continue to be customers for years to come.

I have been enjoying r&r for many years. Used to only like Jack Daniels, but R&R has been better. Problem is now it is had to get in the St. Paul, Minnesota area and across the river in Wisconsin. Are you stopping distri in this area?

Davin, I just found this recently in Ohio. I actually didn’t buy it UNTIL I read your review of it. After reading your recommendation of this, I got a fifth, and I recently started my SECOND bottle of it!! It’s HALF the price of Crown, and tastes BETTER!! Plus, upon an unexpected trip to Tampa for a family emergency, I found out that it’s available there too!! Thanks again for your great reviews. I really like the fact that you review whiskies of ALL price ranges, as I drink on a budget. When it comes to Canadians, lower price doesn’t always equal lower quality!!

I was in Specs (big liquor store in Houston)last week chatting with a young man (employee) telling him when I was his age it was VO or CC for those of us who wanted first class bourbon. He handed me a bottle of R&R Reserve, since it was only $10/$11 dollars I was too polite
to put it back on the shelf! Wow what a surprise, I’m an old geezer who is now hooked on cheap booze not by necessity but by choice! Almost embarrassed!

This is my favorite alcohol over any other drink. I used to like r&r and monarch canadian before I bought r&r reserve. I sold a few r&r reserve to some 40+ year old people who drank for years, and they never seen r&r reserve or an r&r glass bottle, and they loved it. R&r reserve also does not give me hang over like certain liquors like jack daniel’s, vodka, and other spirits. I sure wish they made Monarch Canadian Reserve. But nothing beats r&r reserve. I get wasted and never have hang overs from any Canadian Whisky. Canadian Whisky all the way.

I have NEVER gone wrong with most Canadian whiskies that I’ve tried so far. I tried the R&R Reserve, after reading Davin’s review of it, and I haven’t had any of that ‘Royal’ whisky since!! Also tried the higher-aged CC varietals, and for me, there’s nothing less.
Canadian Whisky is some of the best & certainly SMOOTHEST spirit that I’ve ever had.

I have NEVER gone wrong with most Canadian whiskies that I’ve tried so far. I tried the R&R Reserve, after reading Davin’s review of it, and I haven’t had any of that ‘Royal’ whisky since!! Also tried the higher-aged CC varietals, and for me, there’s nothing less.
Canadian Whisky is some of the best & certainly SMOOTHEST spirit that I’ve ever had.

I and my husband was on vacation in MICHIGAN and we loved the R&R toasted carmel. No one sells it here back where we live. And we would like to know if we can oder it online and have it sent to us. We tried the Black Velvet does not have the flavor like R&R. Thank You

I just sipped a few r&r and cokes again because its what my best friend and I drank when we went out on the weekends 40 years ago. It still tastes as great as at did way back then. I really thank you for the memories. I’m going to look up my friend and see if he would like to have a few on me. I hope his wife will let him escape from reality for a few hours(lol). Thank you very much again. It reminded me of the good old days and I really enjoyed remembering that. Sorry about being so maudlin. (p.s. If my friends dad is still above dirt I’m going to ask him to come along with us. Thanks again, Rick in Michigan.

I have been drinking R&R for decades…noticed the Reserve at a gas station while out of town and immediately bought it. Turns out it was a mistake in the order…I wish they’d make more mistkes. Can’t find it around Lansing, MI.

Sweet, peppery and hot with dusty old wood, citrus zest, and burnt toffee that ends with a refreshing grapefruit pithiness. It’s a bit spirity which is why it works so well in cocktails and highballs. ★★★

A typical fruity, rye-forward Canadian Club nose becomes sweet, hot, and spicy on the tongue. The most whisky like of the spiced whiskies with added notes of black licorice, Mom’s baking vanilla and a touch of clean oak.

Scotch snobs who rely on age statements to tell them if they like what they are drinking take note: Coyote Ugly is one three-year-old shooting whisky that is simply loaded with flavour. Loaded! Recommended. ★★★☆